The City of Baldwin Park is proud to announce it has received the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for its groundbreaking efforts to address homelessness. This is SCAG’s highest honor in sustainability and recognizes the success of Baldwin Park’s Esperanza Villa and Serenity Homes transitional housing communities.
“We are honored to be recognized by SCAG for our forward-thinking approach to one of our region’s most pressing challenges,” said Baldwin Park Mayor Alejandra Avila. “By investing in supportive, sustainable housing solutions, Baldwin Park has reduced homelessness by 70% over four years, demonstrating what’s possible when compassion meets collaboration and innovation.”
The SCAG Sustainability Awards celebrate regional leadership in environmental stewardship, economic resilience and social equity. Baldwin Park’s recognition underscores how Esperanza Villa and Serenity Homes have successfully integrated long-term sustainability with life-changing impact.
Opened in 2021 and 2022, respectively, Esperanza Villa and Serenity Homes represent a bold shift in the City’s approach to homelessness. Developed during the COVID-19 pandemic and led by the City’s Recreation and Community Services Department, these projects showcase the power of cross department collaboration in delivering equitable, community-driven solutions. Esperanza Villa was the first tiny home village in the San Gabriel Valley, offering 25 units for unhoused individuals. Serenity Homes introduced 16 units tailored for families experiencing homelessness.
Both facilities provide safe, private living spaces along with shared amenities and wraparound services. Esperanza Villa serves up to 100 individuals annually through a 90-day transition model. Serenity Homes supports families during three- to six-month stays, helping them stabilize and move toward permanent housing. Sustainability is woven throughout both communities, with eco-friendly features like LED lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, water-saving fixtures, high-efficiency appliances and groundwater infiltration traps.
“These facilities represent a new standard in transitional housing,” continued Mayor Avila. “We’re proud to serve as a model for how cities can support individuals and families with dignity, stability and sustainability. Our success is a direct result of strong community collaboration, and we’re incredibly grateful to our partners who helped bring these projects to life.”
The City extends its heartfelt thanks to the many agencies, individuals and organizations that helped make these initiatives possible, including: the San Gabriel Valley Regional Housing Trust; San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments; Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and County of Los Angeles; Mid-Valley Collaborative on Homelessness; State Department of Housing and Community Development; County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis’ Office; Sen. Susan Rubio’s Office; BOSS Cubez; SRK Architects Inc.; City Net; Cities & Council of Governments Interim Housing Services; Southwest Carpenters; Habitat for Humanity; IKEA; Union Station Homeless Services; LA Voice; Church of the Redeemer Food Bank; Southern California Edison; Kaiser Permanente; Valley County Water District; Waste Management; Former Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, 31st District; Assemblywoman Blanca E. Rubio, 48th District; the Baldwin Park Women’s Club; and the Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
Baldwin Park’s holistic, sustainable approach has earned multiple accolades, including the:
- 2022 California Parks Recreation Society (CPRS) District 13 Award for Esperanza Villa
- 2023 CPRS District 13 Award for Serenity Homes
- 2025 CPRS District 13 Award for the City’s overall homelessness initiatives
To learn more about the SCAG Sustainability Awards, visit https://www.scag.ca.gov/past-sustainability program-awards-recipients.
About the City of Baldwin Park:
Baldwin Park is a nearly seven-square-mile, suburban community of 72,000 residents in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley. As the hub of the San Gabriel Valley, Baldwin Park is known for its ease of access and mobility, young and diverse residents, and vibrant, growing business community. For more information, visit baldwinpark.com or follow Baldwin Park on Facebook (@BaldwinParkCAGov), Instagram (BaldwinPark_CAGov), and Twitter (BaldwinParkCA_).